Why does it take more than 10 minutes for the car air conditioning to cool down?
2 Answers
The reasons for slow cooling of car air conditioning are as follows: 1. Poor heat dissipation: In most cases, the intermittent shutdown of the air conditioning system is caused by poor heat dissipation. Clean and inspect the heat sink. 2. Temperature sensor issue: It might be a problem with the temperature sensor. There is a temperature sensor inside the air conditioning evaporator box. When the sensor detects that the temperature of the evaporator box is too low, it terminates the operation of the air conditioning compressor. Therefore, check if the temperature sensor is damaged. 3. Ice blockage: There is water in the air conditioning system. The water freezes and blocks the pipeline after the air conditioning cools for a while. When the temperature rises, the ice melts and the cooling starts again, repeating this cycle, resulting in intermittent cooling.
I've been driving for over a decade and have encountered several instances where the AC takes forever to blow cold air, which is quite annoying. The most common cause is low refrigerant or leaks in the system. After all, refrigerant flows through the system like blood—if there's not enough, heat exchange slows down, causing delayed cooling. Another issue could be the compressor clutch; if it's worn out or the solenoid valve is faulty, the startup time gets prolonged. There's also the expansion valve blockage—this component controls refrigerant flow, and when clogged, cooling becomes sluggish. A non-functioning fan or loose belt could also be the culprit, leading to poor condenser heat dissipation and reduced system efficiency. This problem tends to occur more often in high ambient temperatures, especially after the car has been parked for a long time in summer. It's best to regularly check refrigerant pressure and system seals, fixing any leaks early to avoid suffering in the heat. I recommend finding a reliable repair shop for a thorough inspection rather than trying to save a few bucks now and spending more later.
